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Key Dates
- June 1 –
- June 4 – Roadrunners Rise Campaign Celebration
- June 8 – Summer Classes Begin
- June 18 –
- June 19 – Juneteenth
The night that launched a $100 million campaign
By Lynne Winter ’17
After eight months of planning, the most highly anticipated event of the last four years finally arrived.
Outside the Auraria Event Center on Feb. 19, 2025, a 20-foot inflatable Rowdy greeted invitees upon their arrival for a historic evening celebrating the launch of the public phase of Metropolitan State University of Denver鈥檚 inaugural comprehensive fundraising campaign: Roadrunners Rise.
Inside, the rich tapestry of the 海角社区 family was on full display as nearly 600 students, staff, faculty, donors, alumni and community members explored a Roadrunner oasis awash in red and blue. It was time to party.
Photo backdrops, exclusive swag, food, bespoke cocktails and mocktails, balloons, a facepainting station and a money booth, where 21 students caught swirling Rowdy Bucks to win a collective $25,000 in scholarship funds from the Alumni Association, enhanced the festive vibe. Guest speakers 鈥� including President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., alumni, faculty and staff members, donors and students 鈥� energized the crowd.
鈥淭he launch party was such a fun and new experience as an 海角社区 student! Everyone鈥檚 energy brought the Roadrunner spirit to life,鈥� said Human Resources major Summer Cha. 鈥淢y favorite part was getting to connect with other students; it honestly felt like being part of a real community.鈥�
With a goal of raising $100 million to solidify 海角社区 as a leader in social mobility, the Roadrunners Rise campaign began in fall 2020 with a silent fundraising phase.
鈥淔or the first few years, our focus was on deepening relationships with leadership donors to secure significant funding,鈥� said Christine M谩rquez-Hudson, vice president of鈥疷niversity Advancement. 鈥淭his strategy builds momentum for our initiatives and develops curiosity about 海角社区 in our community.鈥� 鈥��
The strategy proved successful. During the event, attendees celebrated both reaching over 75% of the campaign fundraising goal and the start of 17 months dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible opportunities, allowing everyone in the Roadrunner community to participate in 海角社区鈥檚 culture of philanthropy.
When the campaign draws to a close on June 30, 2026, the powerful words shared by Amber Mozet, 鈥�06, president of the Alumni Association, at the launch party, will resonate once again, calling to mind the transformative impact of all that has been accomplished.
鈥淭his campaign isn鈥檛 just about raising $100 million 鈥� it鈥檚 about building a legacy,鈥� said Mozet. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about showing up, saying 鈥榶es鈥� and making sure our impact as Roadrunners reaches far beyond what we could ever imagine.鈥�
鈥淭ogether, we can make history 鈥� not only by reaching our goals, but by creating a stronger, more united Roadrunner family.鈥�